I don't see how you can come away from tonight's game with an overall negative view. There is definitely room for improvement but it was another encouraging showing. Defensively we again looked really solid and moved the ball around the back well. The wing-backs were getting forward well, albeit the final ball was lacking. I thought our midfield did really well after the first 15 mins or so and matched up well to a quality opposition. Jordan Houghton was superb again and has an excellent range of passing. Mayor was also very good and looked every bit as good as the Championship players opposing him.
The disappointing part of tonight's display was that in the final third we didn't make our good build up count. Jephcott missed a golden chance and I thought we looked far more dangerous after he was replaced by Ennis. For me it is him + 1 on the opening day.
In terms of our best XI, I think it's now a case of Galloway v Gillesphey at LCB and Jephcott v Hardie at centre forward. Personally, I would opt for Hardie and Gillesphey. I really like what I've seen from Gillesphey. He drives up the pitch with the ball like Kell Watts did at his best last year, but looks far more assured defensively. He is also the best passer of the centre backs on the evidence i've seen. Galloway I thought was sloppy tonight.
Ratings:
Cooper - 6 - Mistake for the pen, but made up for it with the save. Distribution very good.
Grant - 6 - End product needs to improve.
Galloway - 5 - Sloppy. Not his best game.
Scarr - 7 - Pleasantly surprised me all pre-season. Dominant in the box again.
Wilson - 7 - A lot more mobile than I expected!
Edwards - 6 - Same as Grant. End product needs to be better.
Houghton - 8 - Very good display again.
Camara - 5 - Sloppy. Lost the ball too easily, but put himself about well.
Mayor - 8 - Took a while to get going but once he got into the game he was very good.
Jephcott - 5 - Missed a great chance. Hold up play inconsistent. Without the goals i'm not sure he's justifying his place at the moment.
Hardie - 7 - Worked hard. Caused problems. Needs to be more of a goal threat. Partnership with Ennis looks promising.
Ennis - 8 - This guy is just great. Strong, fast, technically good, what's not to like?
Gillesphey - 7 - Should be starting at LCB for me.
Randell - 5 - Struggled I thought. Needs to protect the ball better. Will come with experience.
Hope we can finish pre-season with a solid performance v Torquay now. Would be encouraging to see a few goals. Would still like to see another two/three players come in. A striker and a central midfielder are a must.